Tacoma, WA, known as 'The City of Destiny,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the Puget Sound region, Tacoma is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Seattle and Olympia enhance its status as a central point in the region. Tacoma's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Tacoma is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Museum of Glass, the historic Tacoma Art Museum, and the scenic Point Defiance Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Ruston Way Waterfront to the bustling Tacoma Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Tacoma's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Pacific Northwest cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Tacoma Film Festival and the Tacoma Maritime Fest highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Tacoma's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Washington Tacoma contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Tacoma is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington State History Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Tacoma provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Tacoma’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Tacoma Rainiers (MiLB) and the Tacoma Stars (MASL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Tacoma include healthcare, education, and logistics, with significant employers such as MultiCare Health System and the Port of Tacoma driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Tacoma is a highly populated city located in the state of Washington. The city has a population of 215,766 inhabitants. In Tacoma, there are 4,340 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Tacoma is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 48% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in Tacoma are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 30 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Tacoma, Washington. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Tacoma and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, education, housing and other important metrics.
Tacoma, WA receives 78 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #106 in Washington and #1,783 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Tacoma could be a great choice! Tacoma has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the scores for each individual category, Tacoma has been rewarded with high marks for education (B), employment (B) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Tacoma, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Tacoma, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Tacoma undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Point Defiance Park.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Tacoma can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Tacoma. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Tacoma are affordable. The median home price for Tacoma homes is $311,700, which is 15.7% higher than the Washington average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Tacoma, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 11.6% higher than the Washington average.
| Statistic | Tacoma | Washington | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 27min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.8% | 72.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 10.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 6.5% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.6% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.4% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
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